| Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
September 5, 2007 - 8:23am
#1
First Posting -- unhappy with the sound
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 StereophileAVTech Media Americas Inc., USA
All rights reserved
Wow, this is a tough question. It could be many things that are leaving you wanting better sound.
Start by explaining what's missing or what doesn't sound right. Is there noise or other unpleasant sound added to the sound of your system, or is it something "missing?"
Compared to when you've heard systems that sound good to you, how is this different?
With more info, maybe we can help. Be as descriptive as you can.
Just as a lark for a first guess, the most common thing I've encountered with bad "low level" sound is bad capacitors in the amp, but I'm totally talking out my butt, so give us more detail in what you are hearing.
At higher volumes, the sound is very alive, coming mysteriously from the middle of the room, full of detail, i can pick out instruments and hear texture. At lower volume levels, more tolerated by my family, it lacks crispness, clarity, presence. not what I had hoped for. Very hard to describe, I'm afraid to say.
Yes and, assuming decent loudspeakers, that weakest link is always the room. More specifically, reflections cause all of the ills you described.
--Ethan
Reports of electronics that require a little juicing to come alive are not uncommon.
From my experience units I'd expect you'd be happy with even at low playback levels would include the Bryston B60 Integrated Amplifer (used since no longer in production) and the Blue Circle CS Integrated Amplifier.
A Sugden a21 might also do the trick but the lower power rating could be a limiting factor for those times when you do (can) blast a little.
ps. I'm not a big Bryston fan outside the B60 (and 2B LP power amp) but with Blue Circle if you wanted to pay more and move up the line I'd say go for it!
If music sounds correct at high volumes it will sound incorrect at low volumes because the response of the ear is significantly different. Many years ago amplifiers had "loudness" buttons to boost the bass and treble when playing music quietly but in this enlightened audiophile age...
If your amplifier has bass and treble controls try giving them a bit of boost when playing quietly to see if the sound moves in the right direction.
The Rotel RA-1062 integrated amplifier has "contour" knobs that perform the same function. It's a novel feature these days.